From the ocean blue to the Tedesco green, the beauty of Marblehead is apparent. A higher authority is responsible for the blue, but the green has been the work of one man for 38 years.
Director of Grounds Peter Hasak is retiring at year’s end – and what a round it was.
“I’ve been in the business for 45 years when it comes down to it,” said Hasak, whose favorite part of Tedesco is its people. “It’s joyful. They’re good folks and I love it.”
Hasak arrived at the club in March of 1988. Nearly four decades later, who knew there could be one last surprise heading his way?
“We have an opening tournament every year and they have a men’s night at the 19th Hole,” Hasak said. “I hadn’t been to one of these men’s nights in
38 years . . . Yeah, we’ll go up and have a good time for an hour and say hello.”
Later that night, just before a blind match drawing, came a presentation that renamed the President’s Cup, a season-long tournament, to the Hasak Cup.
“I couldn’t believe it,” Hasak said. “I had no clue it was coming.”
Hasak admits to getting emotional every time he thinks about the honor.
“What I keep thinking of is that it’s such an affirmation of the time spent here – the show of appreciation and gratitude from membership,” he said. “All three of my kids (Spenser, Sam, Morgana) grew up here . . . The club’s been great to me.”
But the honor is just the cherry on top of an incredible career.
Throughout his tenure, Hasak oversaw bunker renovations, an addition of a driving range, the rebuilds of five greens (No. 9, 11, 12, 17, and, most recently, 15), the practice green, and the first and third tees.
“Peter’s fingerprints are all over our course,” said Golf Professional Ryan Train, who’s in his sixth year with the club and was recently named Merchandiser of the Year by the Massachusetts Chapter of the New England PGA. “It’s a level of dedication that should never be forgotten and etched in stone.”
Cy Kilgore, longtime club member, was Hasak’s chairman in the ’90s and watched the club turn into “one of the best-conditioned golf courses in the state.
“We worked together quite a bit. He’s just a classy person and great to work with,” Kilgore said. “It’s great the club has done that – I’m sure he’s honored.”
Golf Course Superintendents Association of New England Executive Director Don Hearn said he’s not sure if Hasak’s tenure at Tedesco is a record for a superintendent at one course, but, “It certainly ranks as one of the longest.
“Peter has always carried himself as a proud representative of Tedesco Country Club and elevated course conditioning to the highest level in the state,” Hearn said.
One of Tedesco’s former pros, Bob Green, who worked with Hasak for 32 years, said “Peter was outstanding to work with.
“We got along extremely well because we communicated constantly,” said Green, currently the head golf coach at Marblehead High. “We supported each other in our programs and I have the utmost respect for Peter as a person and as a golf course superintendent.”
Hasak retiring doesn’t mean members won’t see him around. When asked if he’ll spend time at the club post-retirement, he was quick to respond.
“I hope so,” he said. “I’m sure I’ll be here plenty.
